How do I surrender a chinchilla?

If you need to surrender your chinchilla complete the online surrender form, we will contact you to schedule a date & time for transfer. In some cases we can pick up chins at your home or meet you, but most surrenders are brought to the shelter in South China, Maine.  

We understand this is a very difficult decision and and we will make the transfer as simple as possible. An adult will be asked to complete and sign the surrender form, MCS staff will ask additional questions about your chin to help them make a healthy transition, and match them with a new owner. All adopters complete an application and education process, so you can be assured your chin will be placed in a safe and loving home. 

Surrendered chins should arrive with their hay, food, water, dust, and a $40 donation to the shelter. Familiar items for the new cage such as a favorite shelf, hammock, or house insure a less stressful transition for your chin.  A clean and rust free cage will be accepted in lieu of a donation; we place chins in their new homes with their original cages when possible.

Surrendered chinchillas are held in quarantine, tested and treated for any illnesses, then matched with a companion if appropriate. If chins arrive with illness or injury they are only offered for adoption when they are healthy. Please consider donating to the shelter for our veterinary fund, shelter chinchillas often need care from an experienced chinchilla veterinarian.